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Are you planning on buying a home in Albuquerque? If so, you no doubt have already figured out how much money you need for your down payment, the mortgage payments, and so forth.

Yet how much will that home cost after you move in? Here are six life factors to consider when buying a home:

Green Thumb?

If you love landscaping and gardening, then buying a home with a lawn will be a fun adventure. But if you’re not into gardening, then buying a home with a lawn or landscaping can cost you about $100 or more a month for professional landscape maintenance. Are you willing to skip the lawn in favor of hardscaping to reduce costs.

Make sure to factor your hobbies and services into your monthly budget to see if the numbers still work out in the black.

Pool Time

It can get hot in the Southwest, so a pool might sound like a great idea to stay cool. Yet one truth remains – pools cost money maintain. You should add up the costs of pool maintenance and servicing, energy, and insurance (along with liability if you have small children). After you take all that into consideration, you may decide you would be better off heading to the neighborhood swimming hole.

If you plan to add a pool, don't expect to get back more than 50% of the cost when you sell your home. Yes, pools are fun, but they are an investment. Factor time and money into your future plans when buying a home with this special feature and, once again, ask yourself if the numbers add up to support your other financial goals.

Children

If you’re buying a home and plan to start a family in the next few years, don’t just consider the amount of mortgage you can afford under your current expenses. Factor in daycare costs and then determine what your cash flow will look like. You may have to adjust the amount of home you’re looking to purchase.

Entertainment

Have you taken into account your entertainment costs? Most of us like to eat out, go see a concert or a movie, or go to a game. You should add up how much you normally spend on entertainment and see how you can balance those costs with owning a home. You may love your new home, but you may not want to feel trapped in it because you don't have the money left to have fun.

Retirement

If you’re in your 20s, you should try to save 10% of your income; in your 30s, you should be saving 15%. If you need to cut back on your retirement savings to make a home purchase work, think hard about when you’ll be able to get back to your ideal contribution levels and how much you may be losing out on during that time.

Although home ownership can help build long-term wealth, it’s important to also maintain retirement savings for future security.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

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